MSC suspends Novorossiysk cargo bookings following drone attack

The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has suspended all new cargo bookings to and from the Russian port of Novorossiysk. The decision follows an attack on the container ship MSC Ulsan III, which occurred in the early hours of August 25 while the vessel was transiting the eastern Black Sea on a voyage from Novorossiysk to Tekirdag, Turkey.

According to a security bulletin from EOS Marine, the Panamanian-flagged vessel (IMO 9305001) sustained no injuries to its crew and avoided propulsion loss or environmental pollution, allowing it to continue its journey to Istanbul. The 2004-built ship, with a capacity of approximately 2,700 TEU, suffered unspecified material damage. While the extent of the impact remains under investigation and the perpetrator of the attack has not been officially identified, MSC took immediate action to halt commercial operations at the port as a precaution.

This incident highlights the rising risks to commercial shipping within the Black Sea region. While the investigation remains ongoing, the suspension of bookings marks a significant shift in logistics strategy for the world's largest container shipping line regarding the Russian port.